When the Party’s Over, but the Beer Cans Remain

Q.My condo in Murray Hill overlooks the patio of an apartment in a rental building across the street. The residents of that apartment throw fraternity-style parties that include beer pong. I don’t really mind the parties, but I do mind the hundreds of beer cans and plastic cups strewn all over their balcony, which create quite a mess and are an eyesore. They leave the mess there for weeks at a time. Does this run afoul of any New York City laws since the mess is on their balcony?

A. Watching someone else’s game of beer pong from afar is a rather unpleasant experience (who really wants to think about those juvenile college days after you’re all grown up?). But being forced to stare at the aftermath for weeks is simply gross. I can understand why you’d want your neighbors to get a broom and a trash bag and clean up.

You can nudge them along. The city’s Housing Maintenance Code sets minimum standards for things like health and safety, fire protection, cleanliness and building maintenance. According to the code, owners and residents are required to keep roofs, yards and other open spaces clean and free from dirt, filth, garbage and offensive material. All that trash on their balcony is not only unsightly, it also poses a safety hazard. For example, if the balcony is an escape route, it could impede a safe exit.

“It is very likely that the failure to clean up this outdoor space amounts to a violation of the offending tenants’ lease,” said Debra J. Guzov, a lawyer in Manhattan.

Figure out what company manages the property. Some buildings have a placard at the entrance with the name of the managing agent. You could also ask the doorman or superintendent for the name. Write the managing agent a letter explaining the situation and asking management to address it. This might be enough to solve the problem. However, if the trash problem continues, call 311 and report the issue to the city. If an inspector finds that the state of the balcony violates city rules, the building will receive a violation. No landlord wants to pay a fine for someone else’s trash. “So the pressure will surely be exerted over the tenants to start cleaning up after themselves,” Ms. Guzov said.